How to Be Brave and Be “Bigger” Than You Are

With October’s focus on being brave, we wanted to take some time today to talk about opportunities in the workplace to be bigger (and braver) than you think you are capable of being. As wedding professionals, we have a crazy job—whether it’s running around tying down linens as a 50-mph windstorm kicks up, talking a bride down from the ledge at the last minute, or planning a stunning soirée on the tightest of budgets, we’re everything from engineers to counselors to interior designers on any given day. But, we often forget to give ourselves credit for just how amazing (and multi-talented) we truly are. Today, then, we wanted to break down our top tips for channelling that inner rockstar of yours, saddling up, and being bigger than you ever thought you could be:

Say Yes to Projects that Scare You

One major way we can practice being braver and bigger than we are is to take on projects and challenges that we’d normally shy away from due to fear. If something scares you, chances are it’s a great learning opportunity—so don’t turn it down just because it seems like it might challenge your skillset. When it comes to major work projects, we encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone at least twice each year—whether that means tackling a funky, modern wedding aesthetic you wouldn’t normally touch or planning a large-scale soirée for the first time.

Say No When You Mean It

On the flip side of that, another way we can learn to be bigger than we are is to allow ourselves to say no when we mean it. As wedding professionals, so much of our job is saying yes—yes to client demands, yes to wild design ideas, yes to vendors who drive us crazy, etc. But there are certain times when a question deserves a hard no, and—as long as you’re both gracious and firm—you have every right to be the one the deliver that no. Whether this means telling that client of yours their design idea for the ceremony simply isn’t feasible with their budget, or explaining to that vendor that you can’t come in on a Saturday morning at 7 a.m., saying no for the sake of our sanity (and in the name of maintaining a high quality of work) is absolutely OK and oftentimes necessary.

Unapologetically Seek Help from Others

Asking others for help or advice can be scary—especially as wedding planners and professionals whose job is, so often, to be a one-woman show. Learning to seek help from others when we need it, though, is one of the best things we can do for our business. Whether it’s picking that 20-year planner’s brain about how to avoid kinks in the timeline for a jam-packed reception, or asking your team to come in on their day off to help you finalize those place cards, there are times when we simply have to swallow our pride and admit we can’t do it all alone. This doesn’t mean we’ve failed or are incompetent—it means we have the self-awareness and courage necessary to know when it’s time to ask for help.

Control What You Can

When it comes to tackling large-scale projects or taking on challenges, the key to success lies in controlling what we can from the get-go. If you’re just starting out as a planner or wedding professional, chances are you’re a one-person show at this point. This means you may not have the luxury of calling on a team to help you out when you need it, which is why having the right tools and resources at your fingertips is absolutely crucial. Use Aisle Planner’s checklist feature to help you develop a workflow that you stick to with each event you plan. Our timeline and budget tools are also great ways to help keep both you and your clients on track and on the same page when it comes to planning. And you’ll certainly want to use our communication tools to keep the conversation flowing with clients, without jamming up your inbox or text messages. It’s all about being as prepared as possible. This means having the right tools and systems in place to help ensure each job runs seamlessly. If you plan ahead and work to be proactive, you won’t be forced to be reactive.

About the Author

Gillian Griffith

As Aisle Planner’s Associate Editor, Gillian knows there’s nothing as deadly as a woman with good grammar, great nails and a strong backhand (think: tennis). She is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, where she spends the sunny days with her family, her Louisiana Catahoula pup and, her ultimate love, a 1939 typewriter. Follow Gillian on Instagram @gigi_the_girl

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